Whatever the weather, you're bound to have a summery spring in your step with this peach shaped crocheted bag swinging at your side!
Peachy
Peachy
I saw a similar design for this bag, crafted in leather, while browsing a magazine and immediately fell in love with it. Being a lady of modest means, I knew the only way I was likely to get one was by making it myself. Crochet is such a great medium for this – working in the round, using a slightly smaller hook than the manufacturer suggests, you can create a perfect circle in a neat and tight material. I also got to add a stalk and leaf along with choosing my own super retro strap.
Yarn
Cascade Pacific (Aran weight; 60% acrylic, 40% merino wool; 195m/213yds per 100g/3½ oz skein)
1 skein of 017 Peach (A)
1 skein of 052 Geranium (B)
Small quantity of DK weight yarns in green and brown
Hooks and Notions
4mm (US G/6) crochet hook
3.5mm (US E/4) crochet hook
Tapestry needle
20cm (8in) zip
115cm (45in) length of gold chain
2 D-rings
Sewing needle and matching thread
Brown sewing thread
Tension
20 sts and 22 rows to 10cm (4in) measured over double crochet
Finished Size
18cm (7in) diameter x 4cm (1½ in) deep
Pattern Notes
If you prefer the look of a solid all-over colour, omit yarn B and work two identical front panels.
For the Front Panel
Using yarn A and 4mm (US G/6) hook, make a magic ring.
Round 1: 1ch (does not count as st throughout), 6dc into the ring,
sl st in first dc to join. (6 sts)
Round 2: 1ch, 2dc in each st around, sl st in first dc to join. (12 sts)
Round 3: 1ch, *2dc in first st, 1dc in next st; rep from * to end, sl
st in first dc to join. (18 sts)
Round 4: 1ch, *2dc in first st, 1dc in next 2 sts; rep from * to end, sl st in first dc to join. (24 sts)
Round 5: 1ch, *2dc in first st, 1dc in next 3 sts; rep from * to end, sl st in first dc to join. (30 sts)
Round 6: 1ch, *2dc in first st, 1dc in next 4 sts; rep from * to end, sl st in fi rst dc to join. (36 sts)
Round 7: 1ch, *2dc in first st, 1dc in next 5 sts; rep from * to end, sl st in first dc to join. (42 sts)
Round 8: 1ch, *2dc in first st, 1dc in next 6 sts; rep from * to end,
sl st in fi rst dc to join. (48 sts)
Round 9: 1ch, *2dc in first st, 1dc in next 7 sts; rep from * to end,
sl st in first dc to join. (54 sts)
Round 10: 1ch, *2dc in fi rst st, 1dc in next 8 sts; rep from * to
end, sl st in first dc to join. (60 sts)
Round 11: 1ch, *2dc in fi rst st, 1dc in next 9 sts; rep from * to
end, sl st in first dc to join. (66 sts)
Round 12: 1ch, *2dc in fi rst st, 1dc in next 10 sts; rep from * to
end, sl st in first dc to join. (72 sts)
Round 13: 1ch, *2dc in fi rst st, 1dc in next 11 sts; rep from * to
end, sl st in first dc to join. (78 sts)
Round 14: 1ch, *2dc in fi rst st, 1dc in next 12 sts; rep from * to
end, sl st in first dc to join. (84 sts)
Round 15: 1ch, *2dc in fi rst st, 1dc in next 13 sts; rep from * to
end, sl st in first dc to join. (90 sts)
Round 16: 1ch, *2dc in fi rst st, 1dc in next 14 sts; rep from * to
end, sl st in first dc to join. (96 sts)
Fasten off.
For the Back Panel
Using yarn A and 4mm (US G/6) hook, make a magic ring.
Round 1: 1ch (does not count as st throughout), 6dc into the ring, sl st in first dc to join. (6 sts)
Round 2: 1ch, 2dc in each st around, sl st in first dc to join. (12 sts)
Round 3: 1ch, *2dc in first st, 1dc in next st; rep from * to end, sl st in first dc to join. (18 sts)
Commence Tapestry Crochet pattern: For the following rounds, work in dc changing colour as indicated and working the stitches over the unused yarn as you go.
Round 4: Using yarn B, work 1ch, 2dc in first st, using yarn A,
1dc in next 2 sts, *2dc in next st, 1dc in next 2 sts; rep from * to end, sl st in first dc to join. (24 sts)
Round 5: Using yarn B, work 1ch, 2dc in fi rst st, 1dc in next 3 sts, using yarn A, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next 2 sts, using yarn B, 1dc in next st, using yarn A, 2dc in next st, using yarn B, 1dc in next st, using yarn A 1dc in next 2 sts, *2dc in next st, 1dc in next 3 sts; rep from * to end, sl st in fi rst dc to join. (30 sts)
Round 6: Using yarn A, 1ch, 2dc in fi rst st, 1dc in next 2 sts, using yarn B, 1dc in next 2 sts, [2dc in next st, 1dc in next 4 sts] twice, using yarn A, *2dc in next st, 1dc in next 4 sts; rep from * to end, sl st in fi rst dc to join. (36 sts)
Round 7: Using yarn B, work 1ch, [2dc in the first st, dc in the next 5 sts] 3 times, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next 2 sts, using yarn A, 1dc in next 3 sts, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next 5 sts, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next 3 sts, using yarn B, 1dc in last 2 sts, sl st in first dc to join. (42 sts)
Round 8: Using yarn B, work 1ch, [2dc in the first st, dc in the next 6 sts] 3 times, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next st, using yarn A, 1dc in next 5 sts, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next 6 sts, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next 2 sts, using yarn B, 1dc in last 4 sts, sl st in first dc to join. (48 sts)
Round 9: Using yarn B, work 1ch, [2dc in first st, 1dc in next 7 sts] 3 times, using yarn A, *2dc in next st, 1dc in next 7 sts; rep from * to end, sl st in first dc to join. (54 sts)
Round 10: Using yarn B, work 1ch, 2dc in first st, using yarn A, 1dc in next st, using yarn B, 1dc in next 7 sts, [2dc in next st, 1dc in next 8 sts] 3 times, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next 3 sts, using yarn A, 1dc in next 5 sts, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next 4 sts, using yarn B, 1dc in last 4 sts, sl st in fi rst dc to join. (60 sts)
Round 11: Using yarn B, work 1ch, [2dc in first st, 1dc in next 9 sts] 3 times, using yarn A, 2dc in next st, using yarn B, 1dc in next 2 sts, using yarn A, 1dc in next 7 sts, *2dc in next st, 1dc in next 9 sts; rep from * to end, sl st in first dc to join. (66 sts)
Round 12: Using yarn B, work 1ch, [2dc in fi rst st, 1dc in next
10 sts] 3 times, using yarn A, [2dc in first st, 1dc in next 10 sts] twice, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next 7 sts, using yarn B, 1dc in next 3 sts, sl st in first dc to join. (72 sts)
Round 13: Using yarn A, work 1ch, 2dc in first st, using yarn B, 1dc in next 11 sts, [2dc in the first st, dc in the next 11 sts] twice, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next 8 sts, using yarn A, 1dc in next st, using yarn B, 1dc in next 2 sts, 2dc in next st, using yarn A, 1dc in next 11 sts, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next 9 sts, using yarn B, 1dc in last 2 sts, sl st in first dc to join. (78 sts)
Round 14: Using yarn B, work 1ch, [2dc in the fi rst st, 1dc in next 12 sts] 3 times, 2dc in next st, using yarn A, 1dc in next 12 sts, *2dc in first st, 1dc in next 12 sts; rep from * to end, sl st in first dc to join. (84 sts)
Round 15: Using yarn B, work 1ch, [2dc in first st, 1dc in next 13 sts] 3 times, using yarn A, *2dc in next st, 1dc in next 13 sts; rep from * to end, sl st in first dc to join. (90 sts)
Round 16: Using yarn B, work 1ch, [2dc in first st, 1dc in next 14 sts] 3 times, using yarn A, *2dc in first st, 1dc in next 14 sts; rep from * to end, sl st in first dc to join. (96 sts)
Fasten off.
For the Gusset
Using yarn A and 4mm (US G/6) hook, make 97ch.
Row 1: 1dc in second ch from hook (missed ch does not count as st), 1dc in each ch to end, turn. (96 sts)
Rows 2–4: 1ch (does not count as st throughout), 1dc in each st to end, turn.
Row 5: 1ch, 1dc in first 34 sts, make 38ch, miss 36 sts, 1dc in each of last 26 sts, turn.
Row 6: 1ch, 1dc in first 26 sts, work 36dc around ch, 1dc in each of last 34 sts, turn.
Rows 7-8: 1ch, 1dc in each st to end.
Fasten off.
For the Leaf
Using a small quantity of green yarn and 3.5mm (US E/4) hook, make 10ch. Sl st in fi rst ch from hook, 1dc in next ch, 1htr in next ch, 1tr in next 2 ch, 1dtr in each of next 2 ch, 1tr in next 2 ch, 4tr in end ch, then working up the opposite side of chain, 1tr in next 2 ch, 1dtr in each of next 2 ch, 1tr in next 2 ch, 1htr in next ch, 1dc in next ch, sl st in end ch. Fasten off.
For the Stalk
Using a small quantity of brown yarn and 3.5mm (US E/4) hook, make 6ch. 1dc in second ch from hook, 1dc in each ch to end. Fasten off.
Making Up and Finishing
Weave in ends and block pieces to shape.
Lay the gusset piece flat. Place the zip so it fits neatly in the missed stitch gap and sew into place. Tack the ends of the zip to secure them.
Sew the short ends of the gusset together and sew to the front and back pieces using whip stitch.
Sew the leaf and stalk into place.
Using a small amount of yarn A, attach D-rings to either side of the bag and then attach the chain strap.
Tip
The strap can completely change the look of a bag. Try out different materials such as ribbons, chains or webbing to see what you prefer.
For more crochet bag projects check out 35 Crocheted Bags by Emma Friedlander-Collins.